OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY LAWS IN THE PETROLEUM EXPLORATION INDUSTRY

Abstract

Recent legislation proclaimed in both Federal and State areas means that a distinct change is necessary in the implementation of safety and environmental policy. Traditional ideas about safety engineering with regard to both hardware and operating practices will be reassessed in the near future.

A central theme running through most of the new legislation is to place an employee elected health and safety representative into a position carrying significant responsibility in the areas of defining safe working practices and also enforcing the adoption of safe working practices via statutory powers provided by the legislation.

This discussion will compare and contrast various pieces of legislation, both Federal and State, which impact on the definition and implementation of safe work practices and safe work environments in the Petroleum Exploration Industry.